Jennings foils Yorkshire bid

Keaton Jennings’ unbeaten half-century helped Durham to secure a battling draw after Yorkshire forced the follow-on but ran out of time in their pursuit of victory at Chester-le-Street.

Yorkshire’s attack claimed six of the 12 wickets they needed to secure their second LV= County Championship Division One win of the season as Durham ended on 100 for four, 101 runs behind before the teams shook hands.

Jennings ended on 54 from 166 balls, including seven fours, as he remained solid for Durham during a vital knock.

The reigning champions began the day on 361 for eight, needing 79 runs to avoid the follow-on after Yorkshire’s declaration on 589 for eight on Monday.

They made a good start as Jamie Harrison guided the first ball of the day for four through third man off leg-spinner Adil Rashid.

Harrison combined with Graham Onions to add 23 runs as their defiant partnership, coupled with a short rain delay, began to frustrate Yorkshire.

The partnership was finally ended when Harrison (31) was bowled through the gate after trying to whip away Kane Williamson’s delivery in the 133rd over with Durham left on 384 for nine.

Another rain delay, which led to an early lunch, dented Yorkshire’s hopes of building momentum, but the visiting side did manage to force the follow-on shortly after play restarted.

Onions (21) was caught behind by Andy Hodd off Liam Plunkett, with Chris Rushworth left on two not out, to put Durham 201 behind.

After a cagey opening, which saw Plunkett and Jack Brooks bowl two maidens apiece in the first four overs, Yorkshire struck by emphatically claiming two wickets in two balls.

Firstly, Mark Stoneman (four) was desperately unlucky to be run-out at non-striker’s end after Plunkett diverted a straight drive from Jennings onto the stumps. Scott Borthwick was then caught behind for a golden duck after edging a vicious delivery from Brooks.

Kumar Sangakkara, who was out for a duck in the first innings, was next to join Jennings but he survived a huge caught behind appeal off Brooks before edging to Adam Lyth at second slip off Ryan Sidebottom to go for 14 runs.

That left Durham on 35 for three with 44 overs left, but there was little respite as Michael Richardson (seven) was caught behind off Rashid shortly after.

Jennings and Paul Collingwood (14) dug in to steady the ship as the wickets dried up and the clock raced down for Yorkshire.